Unit-control device.



F. E. SPERRY.

UNIT CONTROL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 1912.

1,095,530. vPatented May 5, 1914-u 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

QC/@6656@ i jure/22h' -J/ Wwf/KKH er A b y gpm/www @@5 P. E. SPERRY.

UNIT CONTROL DEVICE.

APPLIUATION HLEDAUG. ze, 1912.

Patented May 5,

2 SEEETS-SHEET.2.

FRANK E. SPERRY, OF AUB-ORA, ILLNOS, SSIGNGR TO AURORA AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF'ILLINOIS UNIT-CONTROL DEVICE.

Loodsen.

Speeicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented May 5,' 1914.

Application led August 28, 1812. Serial No. 717,110. i

thereof, reference being had to the accompanying 'lrau'ings,and to the lettersA of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

lhis invention relates to improvements in unit crmtrolling devices, for clutch and change speed mechanisms or similarly operated mechanisms of motor driven vehicles, and more particularly to improveients in that class of controlling,` devices tor clutch and change speed mechanisms or similarly operated mechanisms, in which a single control lever is used and means provided whereby the operation of one mechanism'is alternately made dependent upon the operation of the other.

The principal object of this invention is to Vprovide a simple.v economical and ellicient unit controlling;l` device and change speed mechanism for motor driven vehicles.

'further object of the invention is 'to provide means whereby the control of aclutch and change speed mechanism may be accomplished by the operation of a single it. and also to provide a construct-ion u uereby the change speed operating memhcr can only be operated at one position of @he control lever. namely, that position of the contro-l lcvcr in which the clutch is released, or, more specifically, when'the drivin mechanism vis independent Vof the motive pofcr plant. A y

he device herein describe-d is shown as @comprising a manually operable cont-rolling lever applied to a mot-or cycle. lt is not desired. however. to limit or restrict they invention to the construction herein shown or in any manner except as set forth in the claims.

The invention and improvements herein .shown and described may be applied to any and all mctor driven vehicles having clutch i and change speeddevice operative members,

or to other mechanisms adapted to beY actuated by the means herein described, or

similar means, and more particularly to anyY form of controlling device having a manuallyoperable control lever constructed and adapted to operate in the'manner shown or in a similar manner.

This invention consists in the matters herein set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings Figure l is a view in side elevation of a device constructed in accordance With my invention and improvements and showing my vimproved controlling lever' mounted uponl a motor cycle. and the clutch controlling,- links and a` portion of the change speed controlling rod; Fig. 2, a. detail view in transverse ection, showing the control lever in longi tudinal section, and a portion or the tank and crank case; Fig', 3. a detail vieu7 incross section through the controlling levertaken on line of Fig. 2; Fig. 4:, a detail vieviT inV cross section through thecontrolling Vlever, taken on line -d of Fig. 2, and shoiving` a portion of thequadrant in Fig. l; and Fig. 5, a detail view in approximately horizontal section taken on line of Fig.' 2, y

looking downward, and showing the "crank connected with the shaft member of the controlling lever, and the means for connecting the crank with the speed changi or change speed mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the unit control lever 18 is pivotally mounted at its lower end and attached'tothe crank oase 11 of the motor, by means of a bracket or leversupportingq portion l2 on the crank case, and a bolt. or horizontal pivot 18 which passes through the said bracket l2 and through an arm or bottom end vportion 14 of the control lever. The extent oi rotation or pivotal movement about the bolt or horizontal pivot 13y is limited by Aa quadrant 15 Which Yis attached to the frame of the vehicle by suitable means such as braces 16, and provided With stops 1513715 at each extremity for engaging' and limiting the backward'and orvvard movement of saidlever.

Aat a distance from the adjacent stop 15h vequal to approximately thel diameter of the SV I control lever or at a point which will enable the 'flange 15d ot the quadrant to remain out or' engageniient with the speed changing;` mechanism when the lever is in position to release the clutch mechanism, as shown in Fie'. 1. A clamp 1l' is rigidly attached to the control lever, the jaws ol which clamp are faced with suitable material such as compressed liber adapted to engage the quadrant and, by rictional engagement therewith, to hold the control lever in any position, between the extremities ot said quadrant l5 to which it may be adjusted. The studs 17 not. only attach the clamp 17 to the body or outer tubular member 18 oi the control lever7 but, by means of the ad justable lock nuts 1', the frictional contact between the said clamp 17 and the surface ot the quadrant l5 may be increased or decreased as desired.

The outer tubularlever body 18 is rigidly connected at its lower ond with the arm let, and a shaft 1f) is ournaled therein and adapted to be rotated within the tubular member when the latter is in such position that the clutch operated thereby is released. Said shaft supports at its upper end a handle 20 which is fixed to or intec'ral with the shaft. This handle is adapted to give a rotative movement to the shaft and to actas a convenient means ot nioving the whole lever, including the outer tubular member and shaft on the horizontal pivot formed by the bolt 13, backward and forward along' the quadrant 15. The axis oit the shaft is perpendicular to the horizontal axis of the lever as a whole, or to the axis formed by the pivot 13, and the shaft is adapted to be rotated on its axis to a suilicient extent to cause the speed changing nicchanisn'l to change the speed oi" the vchicle1 such speed being' determined and changed by the rotation ot said shatt to different positions. A sleeve 21 and a bushing' are provided and secured in fixed relation to each other and to the shatt 1S) (see Figs, 2 and 3). These serve as outer and inner bearing members between which the tubular lever body extends7 so as to permit and facilitate the rotation of the shaft. pin Q3 extends through the shaft 1S) and the bushingT 22. @ne extremity oi" this pin extends beyond. said bushingl 22 and into engagement with a transverse segmental slot 18u in the lever body 18 (see Figs. Q and 3). Said slot 18" occupies an angle of approximately C ot the total circumference of the lever body, and the pin and shaft thus limit the rotation of the shaft 19 to a like angle.

A collar 2e is attached to and rotatable with the shaft 1.9 adjacent to the segmental. 4tlange 15' ot the quadrant and to the clamp 1? (see Figs. 2 and 4). Said collar is provided with two transverse segmental slots 2i and 2a" upon its surface (see Figs. 2 and et), said slots beine', by preference, at right angles to each other and adapted to successively engage the angular projection or segmental ;tlange 15 of the quadrant 15, so as to enable the rotation ot' the shatt 19 to be prevented. while the Harige. and either ot said slots are in engagement. [in adjacent portion ot the tubular lever body 18 is cut away so as to form a transverse peripheral slot 19"l to make possible such engagement.

A crank arm 25 is rigidly attached to the lower extremity ot the shatt 19 by means of a stud 25, the same having bearing upon the adjacent extremity or end oi the tubular lever body 1S and a bushingl 12W. rl`he crank arm is also provided with a swivel block 2li connected therewith and adapted to rotate upon a crank pin 25" on said crank arm. Attached to the said swivel block 2G is a rod E27 which. extends to and is coimected with and adapted to operate the change speed mech anism.

At the lower end of the control lever and in vfixed relation to the lever body 18 is a rocker or lever arin 28, lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis oll the pivotal bolt 13 and projecting' at approximately an angle oit' 90@ to the axis of the control lever proper. lioosely attached to the extremity ot' the rocker arm or lever member is a link 29, which in turn is loosely attached to the operative arm 30 ot the clutch 31, Then the control lever-is in the position shown in Fie'. 1, it is in one ot its extreme positions, duo to the contact. ot the clamp 17 and a stop 15b, ot the quadrant 15. In this position only the clutch. is completely released so that the motor may continue to run without transmitting any power to the driving' member or sjjn-oclret wheel 52 which Ais opera tively connected with the driving wheel ot the vehicle by means ot a chain or by any suitable known or desired means. position also the angular projection or iental tlana'e 153 of the quadrant docs not engage either oit the transverse slots 2t or l-.b ot' the collar 24e, hence in this position, and in this position only, the shaft 1 9 may be rotated relative to the lever body 18 so as to cha'nnje the speed oit the vehicle, said rotary movement being' limited to an angular distance or a partial rotation ot approximately 96 by the action ot the pin 23 tixed to the shaft. 19 and extending' int-o the slot i8 ot the lever body 18. By partially rotating or rocking the shaft 19-while the le` ver as a whole is in clutch releasing position, or in the position shown in Fig. 1-through the said aur'le of 900 or from a position in which one of the slots 524i or 24h is engaged by the member 151" to a position in which 'the` other ot said slots is so engaged,l a change ot speed from high to low or vice versa isobf tained. Furthermore when the shaft 19 is ln thisv the Vposition shown in Fig. l-thereby re- Vgage the locking memberI or segmental Vthat the clutch should be released While a to acorrect drivingl position, and the change 'shaft supported by and moving' with said in either of its two positions into which it thus adapted `to be rotated relative to the tubular lever member 1S and with the lever as a whole in such position that one of the slots 24. or 2lb of the collar Qel is in a position to engage the angular projection or flange l5 oit the quadrant l5, the said shaft will be securely held against rotation until the lever is again moved to clutclrreleasing position, The Vshaft having been rotated while in such position that the collar 24 and its slots are ont of engagement with the [lange 15 ot quadrant 15 and in clutch-releasingposition shown in Fig. l, the kcontrol lever is then moved forward or toward the opposite extreme position, thus causing the clutch to be thrown into its clutching` position and operatively connectingthe sprocket wheel with the crank shaft or driving shaft 32 of the engine, in such a manner that power is transmitted from the motor to the driving member or sprocket and t0 the drivingl wheel of 'the vehicle. It a change ot speed is desired the control lever is brought back to its original positionleasing` the clutch, and the shaft is rotated or turned by means of the handle 20 into position to bring' the desired one of the slots 24a or 24h into such position that it will enflange l5 as soonas the lever as a whole is moved to position vto4 permit such engagement. By then pushing' the lever forward the` motor will be again operatively (-.onnectedV with the drive wheel of the .vehicle with the change speed mechanism in such position that the vehicle will again be driven forward. but at a diderent speed.

From vthe toregoing'A itwill be evident that theoperation of the device is consistent With an ii'nportant principle followed in motor vehicle construction and'operatiom namely,

change oit' speed is beingV made, and that the mechanism by means of which' the speed is changed should be operated only ywhile the clutch is released. The control lever is pre'- vented trom engaging the clutch without thc change speed device being first shifted speed control sha't't is securely Vlocked in such position to prevent thechange speed mechanism from being operated or moved -trom one speed changing position to another while the control lever is in any other than clutchreleasinf; position.

l claim:

l.V In a device ot the class described, the combination ot an oscillating lever, a rochoscillating lever and adapted to be operated only when said lever is in a predetermined position.v means for operatively connectingI l said rock-shaft with the change 'speed meclr fl shaft supported by and moving` with said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated only when said lever 1s 1n one predetermined position` means for operatively connecting said. rock-shaft with the change speed mechanism of the vehicle, means tor operatively connecting the oscillating lever with the clutch mechanism o:tl the vehicle, means tor locking the rock-shaft adapted to prevent the rotation ofthe latter when the oscillating lever is in any position other than said predetermined position and to permit the rotative movement of said rock-shaft only when the said oscillating lever is in the .said predetermined position, and a handle mount ed Yupon said roch-shaft and movable with said `oscillating lever, adapted to operate said lever and said rock-shaft.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of an oscillatingv lever, means for pivotally supporting said lever upon the vehicle frame, a rock-shaft supportediby and movable with said oscillating lever and pro- 'vided with locking means, said rock-shaft being' adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined' position, means for operatively connecting,` said rock-shaft with the change speed mechanism ot' the vehicle, means for operatively,connecting the oscillating lever with the clutch mechanism ci the vehicle, and a locking member .mounted upon the vehicle Vtrame and in engagement with the lpcliing means of said roch-shaft for locking the same non-rotatably adapted to prevent the operation ot said shaft when the oscillatingvlever is in any position other thanV saidpredetermined position.

4. ln a device of the class oescribed, the combination of an oscillating lever, means t'or pivotally supporting said lever upon the vehicle frame. a rock-shaft supported. by and m vablc with said oscillating` lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined position, means forY operatively connectingl said ,rock-shaft with the change speed mechanism oit the if'ehicle, means tor opera tively connecting; the oscillating' lever with the clutch mechanism of the,V vehicle, a locking member moy'jable with the oscillating lever and operated by the said rocloshatt, Vand a locking member mounted upon the vehicle frame Vand in engagement iioV with the first mentioned locking member for locking` the said shaft non-rotatably, adapted to prevent the operation of said shaft when the oscillating' lever is in any position other than said predetermined pos tion.

VIn a device ot the class descril'ied, the combination ot an oscillating lever, means for pivotally supporting said lever upon a vehicle frame, a roclr shaft supported by and movable ivi th said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated 'when said lever is in a predetermined position, a crank arm upon the rock shaft, means tor connecting said crank arm with the change speed mechanism of the vehicle, means for pei.'atively connecting the oscillating' lever with the clutch mechanism ot the vehicle, a locking member upon and n'lovable with the rock shaft, and a locking' member mounted upon the vehicle iframe and in engagement with the .locking member upon said slia'it, for locking the latter nou-rotatably, adapted to prevent the operation or said shaft when the oscillating' lever in any' position other than said predetermined position.

G. In a device of the class described, the combination ot an oscillating lever, means iior pivotally snpjiorting said leve-r upon a vehicle traine, a rock .shaft supported by and movable with said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetern'iined position., a crank arm upon the rock shaft, means :l'or connecting said crank arm with the change speed mecha nism ot vehicle, means tor operatively connecting the oscillating lever with the clutch mechanism. of the vehicle, a locking member upon and movable with the rock shatt, and a quadrant mounted adjacent to said locking member and adapted to engage and prevent the operation of the latter in any position other than said predetermined position.

7. In a device oi" the classdescribed, the con'lbination ot an oscillating lever, means for pivotally supporting said lever upon a vehicle frame, a rock shaft supported by and movable with said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined position, a crank arm upon the rock shaft,I means for connecting said crank arm with the change speed mechanism of the vehicle, means :for operatively connecting the oscillating lever With the clutch mechanism oit the vehicle, a locking member upon and movable Witl the rock shaft, and a quadrant mounted adjacent to said locking member and adapted to engage the latter when the oscillating lover in any position other than said predetermined position.

S. In a device of the class described, the combination ot an oscillatingl lever, means tor pivotally supporting said lever upon a vehicle Ytraine, a rock shaft supported by and movable with said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined position, a crank arml upon the rock shaft, means for connecting said crank arm with the change speed mechanism ot the vehicle, means tor operatively7 connecting the oscillatinglever 'with the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a locking member upon and movable with the rock shaft, a quadrant mounted adjacent to said locking member and adapted to engage the latter when the oscillating lever is in any position other than said predetermined position, and means ior operatively connecting the ('scillating lever with said quadrant` D. lu a device of the class described, the combination ot an oscillating lever, means 'for pivot-ally supporting said lever upon a vehicle frame, a rock shaft supported by and movable With said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined position, a crank arm upon the roel( shaft, means ttor connecting said crank arm with the change speed mechanism ot the vehicle, means for operatively connecting the oscillating lever with the clutch mechanism oi the vehicle, a locking member upon and movable with the rock shaft, a quadrant mounted adjacent to said locking member and adapted to engage the latter when the oscillating' lever is in any position other than said predetermined position, and a clamping member mounted upon the oscillating lever and in engagement with said quadrant.

l0. ln a device of the class described, the combination ot an oscillating lever, means 'for pivotally supporting said lever upon a vehicle frame, a rock shaft supported by a Ad movable With said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when said lever is in a predetermined position, a. crank arm upon the rock sha-ft, means for connecting said crank arm With the change speed mechanism of the vehicle, means for operatively connecting the oscillating lever With the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a locking member upon and movable with the rock shaft, a quadrant mounted adjacent to said locking member and adapted to engage and prevent the operation ot the latter in any position other than said predetermined position, a clamping member mounted upon the oscillating lever and in engagement With said quadrant, and` means tor limiting the rotary movement of the rock shaft when the oscillating lever is in said predetermined position.

il. ln a unit control device, the combination of an oscillating lever comprising a tubular portion provided With a traiiisverse opening, a quadrant mounted upon a suit able support and provided vvith a projecting portion adapted to extend into said opening, and a shaft roclringly mounted Within the tubular portion oit the .lever member 4and provided lWith a locking portion having peripheral slots disposed at an angle With relation to each other and located adjacent to said opening in the tubular portion of Jthe lever member and adapted to be moved successively into position to be engaged byA said projecting portion of the quadrant.

l2. In a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever comprising a tubular portion provided With a transverse opening, a quadrant attached to the frame of the vehicle and provided with a projecting flange adapted to extend into saidl opening, a shaft rocki'ngly mounted Within the tubular portion of the lever member, and'inovable lengthwise of said flange, beyond the end of and out of engagement with the latter, and a locking member upon said shaft provided with transverse slots disposed at an angle with relation to each other and located adjacent to said transverse opening in the tubular portion of the lever member and adapted to be successively engaged by said projecting portion of the quadrant.V

13. In a unit cont-rol device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever beyond the end of and out of engagement' With the latter, a locking member upon said shaft provided With 'trans-verse slots disposed at an angle with relation to each other and located adjacent to said transverse opening in the tubular portion of the lever meinber and adapted to be successively engaged by said projecting portion of the quadrant, and stops located adjacent to the opposite ends of said flange and adapted to engage and limit the movement -of thelever vwith relation to the flange.

lit. in a unit control-device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever pivotally mounted upon the frame of the vehicle, a quadrant attached to the Vframe of the vehicle and provided with a segmental flange, a shaft rockingly mounted in engagement With and supported by said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated whenV the lever is in a predetermined position, a locking member fixed to said shaft and movable longitudinally of and endwise beyond said flange, and provided ivithVfiange-engagin(r surface portions disposed at an angle With relation to each other and adapted to be moved successively into flange-engaging position, and means for limiting the rotary movement of the shaft when the said locking element is out of engagementvvith the flange.

15.V In a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever pivotally mounted upon the frame of the vehicle, a quadrant attached to the frame of the vehicle and provided'vvith a. segmental flange, a shaft rocltingly mounted in engagement with and supported by said oscillating lever, .and adapted to be operated 1when 'the' lever is in a predetermined posit-mma loclr-v ing member fixed to said shaft and movable longitudinally of and endivise beyond said flange Yand provided With peripheral slots` disposed at an angle With relation to each other and adapted to be moved successively into Vposition to be engaged by the flange', means for limiting'the rotary movement of the shaft when the said locking element is out of engagement With the flange, and a clamp supported by and movable with said oscillating lever and in frictional engagement With said quadrant.

Y 16. In a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever pivotally mounted upon the frame of the vehicle, a quadrant attached to the frame of the vehicle and provided With a segmental flange,a shaft rockingly mounted in engagement ivith and supported by said oscillating lever and adapted to be operated when the lever is in a predetermined position, 'a locking member fixed to said shaft and movable longitudinally of and endvvise beyond said flange, and provided with peripheral slotsdisposed at an angle With relation to each other and adapted to be moved successively into position to be engaged by the flange, means for limiting the rotary movement of the shaft when the said locking element is out of engagement With the flange, means for operatively connecting the oscillating lever with the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a crank upon said shaft, and means fork connecting said crank With the speed change mechanism of the vehicle.

17. in a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of'an oscillating lever pivotally mounted upon the frame of the vehicle, a quadrant attached to the frame of H the vehicle and provided with a segmental flange, a shaft rockingly mounted in engage! the shaft when the said locking element is out ofengagement With the vflange, means fo-r operatively connecting the oscillating lever With the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, a crank upon said shaft, and a conist necting rod connected with said crank and adapted to be operatively connected with the speed cb ange mechanism of the vehicle.

18. In a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of an oscillating lever comprising a tubular portion provided with a plurality of peripheral slots. a quadrant attached to the frame of the vehicle and provided with a flange adapted to extend into one of said slots, a shaft rockingly mounted Within the tubular portion of the lever member and provided with a laterally projecting boss extending into the other of said slots in the tubular portion of the lever member, and a collar fixed to said shaft and provided With transverse slots disposed at au angle with relation to each other, adjacent to and adapted to be successively moved into position to be engaged by said fiange.

19. In a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination of a pivoted lever comprising a tubular portion, a quadrant attached to the frame of the vehicle and located adjacent to said lever, a shaft rockingly mounted in and movable With said lever and adapted to be partially rotated with respect to the lever when the latter is in a predetermined position, a locking member in fixed relation to the shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the quad rant and adapted to prevent the rotation of the shaft when said locking member is in engagement With the quadrant, and means for limiting the rotary movement of the shaft When said locking member out of engagement With the quadrant.

20. ln a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination of a pivoted lever, a guiding member located adjacent to said lever and attached to the frame of the vehicle, a shaft rockingly mounted and movable With said lever and adapted to be partially rotated with respect to the latter when the lever is in a predetermined posit-ion, clutch Y mechanism com )risino' clutch members oneratively connected with said pivoted lever and adapted to be moved by the latter to releasing position When said pivoted lever is in said predetermined position, means movable With the shaft into and out of engagement with said guiding member, for preingly mounted in and movable vvith said lep ver and adapted to be partially7 rotated With respect to the lever when the latter is in a predetermined position, a locking member in fixed relation to the shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the quadrant and adapted to prevent the rotation of the shaft vvlien said locking member is in engagement 'with the quadrant, means for operatively connecting said pivoted lever with the clutch mechanism of the vehicle, and means for operatively connecting the rook shaft with the change speed mechanism of the vehicle.

Q2. ln a unit control device for motor vehicles, the combination of a pivoted lever mounted upon the frame of the vehicle, a guide located adjacent to said lever and at tached to the frame of the vehicle, ashaft rockingly mounted in engagement with and supported by said lever and adapted to be partially rotated with respect to the lever when said lever is in a predetermined position, a locking member fixed to said shaft and movable longitudinally of said guide and provided with guide-engaging surface portions disposed at an angle with relation to each other and adapted to be moved successively into and out of engagement with said guide, and means for limiting the rotary movement of the shaft When the said locking member is out of engagement with t ie guide.

in testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my invention i al'hx my signature in the presence of tivo witnesses, this 16th day of August A. l). 1912.

FRANK E. SPERRY.

lllitnesses J. (l. DUrnnsNn, G. l?. SHAMBO.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

